Fears of a major public health disaster are growing in Ohio after a freight train loaded with hazardous chemicals crashed, creating a toxic mushroom cloud that could be seen for miles.
Fears of a major public health disaster are growing in Ohio after a freight train loaded with hazardous chemicals crashed, creating a toxic mushroom cloud that could be seen for miles.
But the corporate media has buried the story, even as railroad workers and local residents sound the alarm. And if you're waiting for cable news to explain how corporate lobbyists weakened federal rail safety rules before the crash, you could be waiting forever.
Common Dreams has been covering this story as front-page news from the start, highlighting the health and environmental impacts and demanding stronger safety rules from the Biden administration to prevent future disasters. In fact, union members with Railroad Workers United specifically highlighted our reporting as among the best coverage of this crisis.
But this kind of in-depth, rapid-response reporting isn’t cheap or easy. It requires reporters digging deep, following up with trusted sources, and uncovering how corporate greed put public safety at risk.
We can only do this work with the support of our readers, and with our Winter Campaign underway, we need to raise $80,000 and sign up 200 new recurring donors by March 1 in order to power this reporting.
